The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1887-08-13


then his head sank on TO the straw.
and his eyes closed.
With quick thought. Madeline pour
ed the remainder OF the water over her
handkerchief. and bathed his brow and
his hands.
A thrill Of horror ran through her
as she saw the stain Of blood upon his
wrist, and the heavy dampness with
which his sleeve chung TO his arm
showed her that he was wounded.
"What has happenedy" she asked in
a low pitiful voice. "You are hurt
much hurt. ! must leave you while I
go for help. You will not min being
alone for a few momentss 1 will
bring back somebody who will be of
greater use"
He slowly moved his head. and
raising his lids with an effort, he turn
ed his dark eyes earnestly on her pale
face.
~ am better" he muttered. 81
shall soon be well enough to help my
self. DO not send anyone to me; do
not wish my presence here known"
"But why noty' Madeline asked,
full of anxiety on his account "You
must have suffered enough all through
the night; you cannot refuse the help
you SO greatly need. For your own
sake must disobey you; must warn
somebody at the farm OF your danger"
The man moved his head restIessly,
and a look Of more than bodily pain
came over his face.
"a moment ago I thought you
seemed willing TO assist me-" he muir
INJURED family.
IL am more than willing TO do what
ever Is best for YOU" she answered
with some perplexity. "Do you not
trust me?"
He gave her long steady look.
"Can | give YOU surer proof than
by asking this favor OF you? do not
wish 1t known that am here. / have
my reasons for concealnient; and des-
perate reasons they are, too" he added,
with touch of bitterness. "Can you
put sufficient faith in me to take my
word for truth! The motive which
compels me 10 secrecy is no guilty one;
/ am innocent of any crime--of any
wrong doing towards my fellow men.
III YOU will let this be my refuge until
/ have strength to crawl away, you
will be doing the greatest charity one
human being can do another; and the
day may come when you will look
back with thankfulness 10 the time
when you rendered, blindly, this ser
vice 10 stranger"
In his exhausted condition. the effort
20 frame this speech was almost too
much for him. He lay back breathing
heavily, his breast rising and falling
painfully, his gaze resting on her with
eager suspense.
Madeline watched him with name
less dread and uncertainty in her heart.
What, IL through bending TO this
mystery she should bring harm TO him?
What ii he should die? Would not his
death be at her door. since she had
kept his danger secret from those who
might have saved him!
lie mistook her silence. A deeper
pain came up from the depths of his
soul.
IL have asked too much," he said
huskily; IL Lad no right to expect
anything from you. Go. IL you will, and
tell the owner of the mill lam here
but / shall not be found. The moment
you have left me for that purpose, |
shall 60, even though the effort cost
me my last breath"
He tried to raise himself, clutching
one of the projecting beams to support
his bruised frame. He succeeded in
dragging himself TO his feet, and then
sank on the nearest bench, and leaned
against the rough wooden wall.
Madeline stretched out her hands
involuntarily, as though to give him
aid.
"Rest here in peace, she murmured,
eager TO dispel his fears; "not for the
world would | drive You 10 further
harm. l will keep silent as you
wish"
THANK you" he said slowly; "you
are dong more for me than you can
dream Of"
The cloud had passed away from his
face, and he gazed at her with the
deep yoiceless relief OF the condemned
released while standing on the scaifold
awaiting death.
Madeline went closer. and touched
his wounded arm. a great compassion
shining in her eyes.
"Will you not let me see how you
are hurts' she asked gently; perhaps
| can do something TO ease the pain of
your arm"
A haggard smile fitted across his